With the standard of entries increasing year on year, the bfa HSBC British Franchise Awards have become an incredibly competitive event in the franchising calendar. The awards showcase the very best across the industry, with all finalists having to evidence their tales of overcoming challenge, tenacity and triumph.
To effectively assess against each category’s stringent criteria, takes a broad spectrum of business knowledge, rounded perspectives and franchise specific expertise – alongside a whole lot of passion for the industry!
Each year we invite individuals representing different areas of the industry to join the prestigious panel and this year was no exception, welcoming new faces to the table.
Meet this year’s bfa HSBC British Franchise Awards judging panel…
– Pip Wilkins, bfa CEO –
Pip cut her teeth in franchising, working across every element of the association. Pip’s mission for the bfa is very clear; to maintain standards that strengthen, education that influences success, providing platforms to connect and support and continual promotion to raise awareness of the industry as a whole.
As head judge of the awards Pip knows franchising inside and out and has a strong passion for the industry and the opportunities it brings so many people. Pip’s extensive knowledge and experience of the industry means helps her to get to know the people behind each brand and their stories. She has an admiration for those who show dedication to franchising, with ‘doing it right’ and upholding the ethics at the very core.
Pip loves to see people and brands succeed in the industry and believes the awards are “an exceptional opportunity to recognise the achievements of those who go above and beyond to contribute to the industry”.
– Andrew Brattesani, HSBC’s UK Head of Franchising –
Andy is the HSBC UK Head of Franchising. He has held a number of managerial roles within the bank, including his last role as Senior Area Commercial Director, leading the largest Commercial Banking team in the UK out of HSBC Headquarters in Canary Wharf with a portfolio of some 4,000 SME clients. He is a Banking Business Association (BBA) qualified mentor, which sees him mentoring SME’s who approach the Association for such services.
As well as his UK roles, Andy has spent time in Hong Kong and Shanghai. He has supported; Argentina, Canada, France, Mexico & US open franchise businesses. His team also leverage a global network that covers some 66 countries and territories, which means they are uniquely placed to connect customers to opportunities as they expand internationally.
HSBC has had a dedicated franchise unit for over 30 years and the team work closely with the bfa and its members to support ethical franchising. As part of that broader network of support, they work closely with the British Franchise Association (bfa) to encourage successful and ethical franchising. They also sponsor the bfa Franchisor and Franchisee of the Year awards.
And it’s this approach that saw HSBC named as Best Franchisee Banking Provider at the Business Moneyfacts Awards for three years from 2019 – 2021.
– Emily Price, bfa COO –
As COO of the bfa, Emily’s main focus is designing winning strategies and working with the bfa team to achieve amazing results for the members, the bfa business and themselves. Turning the bfa’s vision into reality is her priority and she holds a firm belief that the journey presents a fabulous opportunity to all that commit.
As a frequent judge for the bfa HSBC British Franchise Awards, Emily has witnessed evolution across the industry throughout the years and has a keen eye for detail, giving her the ability to spot those shining lights in the industry from a mile off!
Emily’s specialism in leadership and passion for people ensures she assesses finalists against a well-rounded and extensive criteria, looking at the business as a whole and how they connect with, develop and care for their people.
– Euan Fraser, AMO Consulting –
Euan is a qualified Chartered Accountant who after a career was in Corporate Finance developed a passion for franchising, founding AMO Consulting. For 25 years Euan has helped clients develop as franchise systems.
Euan’s experience ranges from small businesses such as Metro Rod, The Kitchen Depot and GoCruise through national brands including Marks & Spencer and Thorntons to multinationals such as Danone, Michelin, Ralph Lauren and Yankee Candle.
Euan is an active member of the bfa and loves hearing about the successful franchise journeys of all the businesses that take part.
– Jason Miller, EKW Group –
EKW Group specialise in providing accountancy support to the franchise sector.
Jaosn’s role as client services manager covers a broad range of activities from networking to discussing their services with franchisors, franchisees and fellow affiliates.
The main part of Jason’s role though is client facing. Always being available to pick up the phone and answer emails. Being both a qualified accountant and franchise professional, he can give on-hand support, and anything else EKW have a team who specialise in their own fields who he can refer to.
Jason considers himself a ‘people’ person, and this is why he says he loves the world of franchising; “getting to speak to businesses owners who are all very different from one another, some with more experience of running a business than others.
But with the help of their franchisor, and the support of all the brilliant fellow professionals and affiliates, they’re well positioned to be successful in achieving their dreams”.
– Nina Moran-Watson, NMW Legal & Franchise Consulting –
Nina Moran-Watson is a specialist franchise agreement solicitor and has been involved in franchising for over 30 years. In January 2000 she left London to set up her own niche franchise legal practice from her home in Essex advising both franchisors and franchisees on all things franchising.
Nina is particularly recognised as an expert in reviewing franchise agreements for prospective franchisees and she offers a highly competitive franchisee dedicated service through her www.franchiseagreement.reviews website.
Nina has served as an elected member of the Policy Board of the British Franchise Association, was one of only 6 members of the former BFA Legal Committee and has also held the position of Legal Adviser to the BFA’s Quality Standards Committee. She is also recognised in The Who’s Who Legal Directory and in Chambers Guide of Top Lawyers as an expert in franchising.
This year’s awards ceremony will take place at the Vox, Birmingham on 30th November, find out ticket information for the ceremony and 2 day annual conference here.